.jpg)
| Main | Gallery | IRL | Game | Party Dash |
This page contains real life information that may spoil any story or events related to the character. Read at your own discretion! |
|
| Vodka | ||
|---|---|---|
| ウオッカ | ||
| Vodka winning the 2007 Japanese Derby | ||
| Silks |  |
|
| Romaji | Uokka | |
| Foaled | April 04, 2004 | |
| Died | April 01, 2019 | |
| Sire | Tanino Gimlet | |
| Dam | Tanino Sister | |
| Sex | Mare | |
| Color | Bay | |
| Trainer | Katsuhiko Sumii | |
| Race Record | 26: 10-5-3 | |
| Earnings | 1,333,565,800 JPY | |
| Major wins | ||
| Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (2006) Tulip Sho (2007) Japanese Derby (2007) Yasuda Kinen (2008, 2009) Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2008) Victoria Mile (2009) Japan Cup (2009) |
||
Vodka was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 2006 to 2010. She was known as one of the "big three" of the 2007 Classic filly racers with Aston Machan and her rival Daiwa Scarlet.
Name Origin
"Vodka" is a liquor name; the same as her father Tanino Gimlet. Vodka is "stronger" than gimlet, and her owner chose not to include his crown name (Tanino) so as not to "thin" her strength. [2]
Racing career
2-year-old season (2006)
After winning her debut and coming 2nd in the Kigiku Sho, Vodka won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), beating Aston Machan by a neck. At the end of the year, she was awarded the 2006 JRA Award for Best 2-year-old Filly.
3-year-old season (2007)
Vodka began her 3-year-old campaign winning the Elfin Stakes, followed by another win in the G3 Tulip Sho, where she would have her first race against her long time rival, Daiwa Scarlet. Her next start was the 2007 Oka Sho, where she lost to Daiwa Scarlet by 1 1/2 lengths.
The owner Yuzo Tanimizu, decided to enter Vodka into the Japanese Derby as her next race, wanting her to achieve the same victory as her sire, Tanino Gimlet. Furthermore, trainer Katsuhiko Sumii believed that Vodka had the strength to race against older horses. She became the first filly to race in the Japanese Derby since Biwa Heidi in 1996. She went off as the 3rd popular horse, behind favorite Fusaichi Ho O and Satsuki Sho winner, Victory.
In a shocking and historic result, Vodka ended up winning the Japanese Derby by 3 lengths, becoming the first filly to achieve victory in the race since Kurifuji in 1943.
Vodka went on to have 4 consecutive losses for the rest of 2007, having been defeated in the Takarazuka Kinen, Shuka Sho, Japan Cup and Arima Kinen. She was also scratched from the Queen Elizabeth II Cup due to lameness[3]. Though Vodka won the Japanese Derby, she lost to Daiwa Scarlet for the JRA Champion 3-year-old Filly, having lost to the filly in 3 of the 4 races they ran in that year. However, Vodka was awarded the JRA Special Award for her Japanese Derby victory.
4-year-old season (2008)
Vodka's losing streak continued into the beginning of 2008, placing 6th in the G2 Kyoto Kinen. She then traveled internationally, to run in the Dubai Duty Free[Note 1] at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Though she closed in late in race, she ended up placing 4th.
After returning to Japan, Vodka entered the Victoria Mile, going in as a heavy favorite in the race. However, she failed to win the race being upset by Asian Wind, placing 2nd. This defeat marked a full year since Vodka's Japanese Derby victory. Vodka ran again 3 weeks later in the Yasuda Kinen, becoming the only Derby winner to enter the race since Sakura Chiyono O in 1989. Vodka ended up winning the race with ease, beating runner up Armada by 3 1/2 lengths. It was her first victory in over a year, and her 3rd G1 victory. She also became the 3rd filly ever to win the Yasuda Kinen, following Daiichi Ruby in 1991 and North Flight in 1994.
Vodka entered the Mainichi Okan as her first race in the fall season. Though she was a heavy favorite, she ended up losing to fellow rival Super Hornet by a head. Vodka raced again in November, entering a star-studded Autumn Tenno Sho. The field included the 2008 Japanese Derby and NHK Mile Cup winner Deep Sky, the 2006 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Dream Journey and her longtime rival and 3 G1 winner Daiwa Scarlet.
The Tenno Sho (Autumn) ended up being a thriller and regarded as one of the greatest races in JRA history, as Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet crossed the finish line noses apart. It took 13 minutes for stewards to determine Vodka as the winner, beating Daiwa Scarlet by only 2 centimeters. Vodka ended off the year by running in the Japan Cup, and though leading in the final meters of the race, was caught eventually by the winner Screen Hero, finishing the race in 3rd.
Vodka was awarded the 2008 JRA Horse of the Year and Best Female Horse 4 Years and Older. This became the 2nd time that a filly was awarded the JRA Horse of Year award, following Air Groove in 1997.
5-year-old season (2009)
Vodka began the year 2009 by traveling to Dubai with the intent to race in the Dubai Duty Free[Note 1]. She ran in the G2 Jebel Hatta, a prep race at Meydan Racecourse, but finished with a disappointing 5th place. She still went on to run in the Dubai Duty Free but was unable to improve upon her last race finishing 7th.
Vodka returned to Japan to focus on a domestic campaign in the Spring, with her first race to be the Victoria Mile. She was the heavy favorite going into the race, having an overwhelming odds of 1.7. Vodka did not disappoint those odds, and won by a dominating 7 length margin. This was her 5th G1 victory, tying the record for most G1 victories by a filly at the time with Mejiro Dober, and set the record for most prize money won by a filly, surpassing Air Groove and Hokuto Vega.
Vodka's next race was the Yasuda Kinen, where she aimed to set the record for most G1 wins by a filly, and just like her last race, was considered an overwhelming favorite in the race. During the race, Vodka was caught up in traffic on the final stretch, but was able to break through and catch Deep Sky in the final moment, claiming victory by 3/4 lengths. Vodka became the 2nd horse to achieve consecutive Yasuda Kinen victories, first achieved by Yamanin Zephyr in 1993. She had claimed her 6th G1 victory, and set the record for most G1 victories by a filly in the JRA.
Vodka took a break during summer, where her first race of her autumn campaign was the Mainichi Okan, a race many expected her to win. She ran away in the race but was caught by Company in the final stretch, finishing a surprising 2nd. She went on to run in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), where she faced familiar rivals in Company and Deep Sky. However, she had a tough race, and failed to catch Company on the stretch, finishing the race in 3rd. The disappointing results in the Mainichi Okan and Tenno Sho (Autumn) resulted in her longtime jockey, Yutaka Take, from stepping down allowing the upcoming star jockey Christophe Lemaire to ride Vodka in her next race.
Her next race was the Japan Cup where she was set to face an international field of horses. The main international rival came in as Conduit, an Irish horse that had won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf that year. Vodka was considered a slight favorite in the race, having 3.6 odds. In the race, Vodka was able to take the lead in the final 400 meters, but was being chased down by Oken Bruce Lee resulting in a photo finish. It took 7 minutes to decide a winner, but Vodka was declared victorious by only a nose. Vodka had claimed her 7th G1 victory and tied the record for most G1 victories in the JRA, held by Symboli Rudolf, T.M. Opera O and Deep Impact, and was the first Japanese-trained filly to win the Japan Cup.
Vodka was once again awarded the JRA Horse of the Year and Best Female Horse 4 Years and Older. She is the first filly to be awarded Horse of the Year 2 years in a row, and the sixth horse ever in the history of the JRA.
Retirement
After the Japan Cup, it was discovered Vodka had developed a nosebleed during the race, and was suspended from racing in the JRA for a month, causing her to miss the Arima Kinen. Vodka's retirement was cancelled at the end of 2009, with the plan to retire after running in the Dubai World Cup. Vodka's first race of 2010 was the prep race G2 Maktoum Challenge R3, but she finished in 8th place while Red Desire finished in first place. After the race, Vodka had developed a second nosebleed, and the decision was made to retire her from racing.
In 2011, Vodka was voted into the JRA Hall of Fame with a 84.4% majority vote. She became the 4th filly to be voted into the Hall of Fame, following Kurifuji, Tokitsukaze, and Mejiro Ramonu.
Breeding career and Death
After her retirement, Vodka began her breeding career at Aga Khan Stud Giltown in Ireland. She was bred to Sea the Stars for 3 consecutive years, and other stallions including Frankel and Invincible Spirit. Her 3rd and 4th kid, Tanino Urban Sea and Tanino Frankel raced in Japan, with Tanino Frankel becoming a sire at Rex Stud in 2022.
On February 23rd, 2019, Vodka was moved to a farm near Newmarket, England to mate with a stallion but had developed a fracture in her right hind leg. She was taken to a hospital for surgery but had developed laminitis in both hind legs. Vodka was then euthanized due to her injuries, and passed away on April 1st, 2019. Vodka was cremated and remains were given to her owner Yuzo Tanimizu. He divided her ashes, and her remains are buried on a private farm in Newmarket, in a grave under a cherry blossom tree. [4]
Including being inducted into the JRA Hall of Fame 2011, owner Yuzo Tanimizu donated a bronze state of Vodka at Tokyo Racecourse, celebrating her 6 G1 victories at the racetrack. The statue was unveiled April 23rd, 2014, in a rose garden near Tokyo Racecourse. [5]
On April 6th, 2019, 5 days after Vodka's passing, the main races of the race weekend, The New Zealand Trophy, Hanshin Himba Stakes and Azuma-Kofuji Sho were held with the subtitle "Vodka Memorial Race". Flower offering stands were set up that race weekend at Fukushima, Kyoto, Tokyo, Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourse, with 218 flower tributes being offered.
Honors
- JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Filly (2006)
- JRA Award for Best Older Filly or Mare (2008, 2009)
- Japanese Horse of the Year (2008, 2009)
- JRA Special Award (2007)
Relationships
Relatives
- Tanino Gimlet - Father
Race Records
| Date | Racecourse | Race | Grade | Distance | Gate | Odds | Fav. | Fin. | Time | Margin | Jockey | Winner (Runner-Up) | Other Umamusume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006/10/29 | Kyoto | Two-Year-Old Newcomer | Maiden | T 1600m | 4 | 3.3 | 2 | 1 | 1:35.0 | -0.6 | K.Sameshima | (Lace Doll) | |
| 2006/11/12 | Kyoto | Kigiku Sho | Pre-OP | T 1800m | 7 | 3.0 | 2 | 2 | 1:49.5 | 0.2 | H.Shii | Meiner Soliste | |
| 2006/12/03 | Hanshin | Hanshin Juvenile Fillies | G1 | T 1600m | 2 | 11.1 | 4 | 1 | 1:33.1 | 0.0 | H.Shii | (Aston Machan) | Aston Machan |
| 2007/02/03 | Kyoto | Elfin Stakes | OP | T 1600m | 9 | 1.7 | 1 | 1 | 1:33.7 | -0.5 | H.Shii | (Nishino Manamusume) | |
| 2007/03/03 | Hanshin | Tulip Sho | G3 | T 1600m | 11 | 1.4 | 1 | 1 | 1:33.7 | 0.0 | H.Shii | (Daiwa Scarlet) | Daiwa Scarlet |
| 2007/04/08 | Hanshin | Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) | G1 | T 1600m | 14 | 1.4 | 1 | 2 | 1:33.9 | 0.2 | H.Shii | Daiwa Scarlet | Daiwa Scarlet, Aston Machan |
| 2007/05/27 | Tokyo | Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) | G1 | T 2400m | 3 | 10.5 | 3 | 1 | 2:24.5 | -0.5 | H.Shii | (Asakusa Kings) | Dream Journey |
| 2007/06/24 | Hanshin | Takarazuka Kinen | G1 | T 2200m | 2 | 3.5 | 1 | 8 | 2:14.0 | 1.6 | H.Shii | Admire Moon | Kawakami Princess |
| 2007/10/14 | Kyoto | Shuka Sho | G1 | T 2000m | 16 | 2.7 | 1 | 3 | 1:59.3 | 0.2 | H.Shii | Daiwa Scarlet | Daiwa Scarlet |
| 2007/11/11 | Kyoto | Queen Elizabeth II Cup | G1 | T 2200m | 3 | NR | H.Shii | Daiwa Scarlet | Daiwa Scarlet, Fusaichi Pandora, Sweep Tosho, Daring Heart | ||||
| 2007/11/25 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | G1 | T 2400m | 11 | 6.1 | 2 | 4 | 2:24.9 | 0.2 | H.Shii | Admire Moon | Fusaichi Pandora |
| 2007/12/23 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | G1 | T 2500m | 16 | 6.9 | 3 | 11 | 2:35.7 | 2.1 | H.Shii | Matsurida Gogh | Fusaichi Pandora, Daiwa Scarlet |
| 2008/02/23 | Kyoto | Kyoto Kinen | G2 | T 2200m | 16 | 3.4 | 2 | 6 | 2:13.9 | 0.3 | H.Shii | Admire Aura | |
| 2008/03/29 | UAE | Dubai Turf | G1 | T 1777m | 12 | 4 | Y.Take | Jay Peg | |||||
| 2008/05/18 | Tokyo | Victoria Mile | G1 | T 1600m | 9 | 2.1 | 1 | 2 | 1:33.8 | 0.1 | Y.Take | Asian Winds | |
| 2008/06/08 | Tokyo | Yasuda Kinen | G1 | T 1600m | 5 | 4.1 | 2 | 1 | 1:32.7 | -0.6 | Y.Iwata | (Armada) | Dream Journey |
| 2008/10/12 | Tokyo | Mainichi Okan | G2 | T 1800m | 3 | 1.5 | 1 | 2 | 1:44.6 | 0.0 | Y.Take | Super Hornet | |
| 2008/11/02 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | G1 | T 2000m | 14 | 2.7 | 1 | 1 | 1:57.2 | 0.0 | Y.Take | (Daiwa Scarlet) | Daiwa Scarlet, Dream Journey |
| 2008/11/30 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | G1 | T 2400m | 4 | 3.7 | 2 | 3 | 2:25.7 | 0.2 | Y.Iwata | Screen Hero | |
| 2009/03/05 | UAE | Jebel Hatta | G2 | T 1777m | 7 | 5 | Y.Take | Balius | |||||
| 2009/03/28 | UAE | Dubai Turf | G1 | T 1777m | 3 | 7 | Y.Take | Gladiatorus | |||||
| 2009/05/17 | Tokyo | Victoria Mile | G1 | T 1600m | 6 | 1.7 | 1 | 1 | 1:32.4 | -1.2 | Y.Take | (Bravo Daisy) | Kawakami Princess |
| 2009/06/07 | Tokyo | Yasuda Kinen | G1 | T 1600m | 3 | 1.8 | 1 | 1 | 1:33.5 | -0.1 | Y.Take | (Deep Sky) | |
| 2009/10/11 | Tokyo | Mainichi Okan | G2 | T 1800m | 6 | 1.3 | 1 | 2 | 1:45.5 | 0.2 | Y.Take | Company | |
| 2009/11/01 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | G1 | T 2000m | 7 | 2.1 | 1 | 3 | 1:57.5 | 0.3 | Y.Take | Company | Dream Journey |
| 2009/11/29 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | G1 | T 2400m | 5 | 3.6 | 1 | 1 | 2:22.4 | 0.0 | C.Lemaire | (Oken Bruce Lee) | Red Desire |
| 2010/03/04 | UAE | Al Maktoum Challenge R3 | G2 | D 2000m | 8 | 8 | C.Lemaire | Red Desire | Red Desire |
Pedigree
| Sire Tanino Gimlet (JPN) |
Brian's Time (USA) | Roberto (USA) | Hail to Reason (USA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bramalea (USA) | |||
| Kelley's Day (USA) | Graustark (USA) | ||
| Golden Trail (USA) | |||
| Tanino Crystal (JPN) | Crystal Palace (FR) | Caro (IRE) | |
| Hermieres (FR) | |||
| Tanino Sea-Bird (USA) | Sea Bird (FR) | ||
| Flaxen (USA) | |||
| Dam Tanino Sister (JPN) |
Rousillon (USA) | Riverman (USA) | Never Bend (USA) |
| River Lady (USA) | |||
| Belle Dorine (USA) | Marshua's Dancer (USA) | ||
| Palsy Walsy (USA) | |||
| Energy Tosho (JPN) | Tosho Boy (JPN) | Tesco Boy (GB) | |
| Social Butterfly (USA) | |||
| Cornice Tosho (JPN) | Dandy Lute (FR) | ||
| Rose Tosho (JPN), (Family: 3-l) |
Trivia
- Tanino Gimlet's victory at the 2002 Japanese Derby and Vodka's at the 2007 Japanese Derby makes them the only father-daughter duo to both win the race.
- Racehorse Still I Rise is related to both Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet, with them being the filly's sire's dam and great-granddam respectively.[6]
- Same with most other offspring from the two horses, Still I Rise did not achieve any notable results in races, coming in dead last in four out of six races she raced in prior to deregistration. In addition, she was too scrawny and had weak legs which meant she wasn't suited for racing.